DETERMINATION OF MILIEU-ECOLOGICAL: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PASTORAL THEOLOGY AND CARE FOR THE PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS IN PAPUA PROVINCE

Abstract

Chronic illness is a complex issue in Papua, first because the milieu and ecology determination are still very strong and the second, for most of its people to seek medical treatment is still a luxury. Those who suffer from chronic illnesses may become passive-aggressive, withdrawing from society, and keeping anger. The church is called to serve them, even though the churches in Papua also have limitations. The main argument in this research is that environmental and ecology are determining factor of the church's success in providing pastoral care for inner healing, spiritual healing, and physical healing.

There are two questions that will be answered in this paper. Why are determination of milieu and ecology important in pastoral care for people with chronic illness? What are the implications of this pastoral care in the new locus of pastoral theology? The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative. The data is processed through a case study of Mrs. E. who is experiencing stage 3b chronic illness. The approach employed uses the drama of Embrace theory which Miroslav Volf coint: opening the arms, waiting, closing the arms, and opening the arms again,  along with the theory of hospitality from Henri J.M. Nouwen.

The findings of this writing clarify that the ecological milieu becomes a determination in the healing for people with chronic illness. This occurs because they are live within cultural conditions that deprive him of independence in her decisions. Therefore, the church needs to intervene in that milieu. Second, the church must redefine its pastoral calling towards people with chronic illness through the action of transforming the ecological milieu. The author names this transformation model with the phrase, ecclesial of milieu-ecological.